All the Travel (from December)

Mom nearly lost her mind getting me to England, but I'm here now. We've met a ton of new people  and I met my English girlfriend. Mom is dead.

♤Happe

Travel Trauma

So we're going to England for Christmas to visit daddy's family! Mommy is mad over all the hassle and money it is taking to get me there though.

♤Happe

It has been crazy, first he's gotten three rabies shots this year because he needed at least two and the one from LDB doesn't count for some reason and the first vet I took him to was former USDA and remember that much but not  that his microchip needed to be scanned first per England's rules on bring a service animal. So then I had to find an actual certified vet who told me the first vet did it wrong. Then we had to wait till our appointment closer to our travel date when the USDA health certificate had to get filled out and cue the stress as we wait to get it back. It's almost over now just waiting to get him deformed and pre-approved from Heathrow.

☆Katie

New

So mommy dragged me to Boston this past weekend. I did pretty good, no complaints from mommy at any rate. The train ride there and back was boring though. I think they are looking for a new home because we saw a lot of of new empty places. 

♤Happe

Holiday Hints

While out shopping this holiday season, you may see someone with a service dog -- here are a few tips.

Service Dog Manners.

When you meet a person with a service dog, please remember that the dog is working. Don't do anything to interrupt the service dog while it is performing its tasks.

Some Rules for Interacting with People with Service Dogs.

1. Speak to the person first. Do not aim distracting or rude noises at the dog.

2. Do not touch the service dog without asking for, and receiving, permission.

3. Do not offer food to the service dog.

4. Do not ask personal questions about the handler's disability, or otherwise intrude on his or her privacy.

5. Don't be offended if the handler does not wish to chat about the service dog.

What if you don't like dogs or are afraid of dogs?

Place yourself away from the service dog. If you are a business person, discreetly arrange for someone else to wait on the person. You may ask the person to have the service dog lie down if it does not interfere with its work.

What if other people complain about the dog being present?

Explain that the service dog is medically necessary and that federal law protects the right of the person to be accompanied by the service dog in public places.

Taken from The TRUTH About Service Dogs on Facebook 

☆Katie

The Bread Thief Strikes Again

So we are at my parents for Thanksgiving and since we are here my parents are hosting.

Part of Thanksgiving dinner is stuffing, and making stuffing involves leaving bread out to dry.

I hope y'all see where this is going.

So last night we carefully laid out several loaves of bread on the dining room table.This morning my furry yellow beast deside he can't wait for breakfast and the bread is right there so he steals a slice. Twice. Once at breakfast at 6 and again at 8 when we came down for the humans to eat.

Get Outta w/ That Shit

Two situation in one weekend.

1) At the post office Saturday and a woman comes in w/ a doy in her arms, dog starts growling a t Happe. Thus sparking the clerk to say no dogs and the owner to snottly argue that  there is no 'no dogs' sign. Like its the businesses job to tell your stupid, entitled butt what you can and can't do, get real and some common sense.

2) At the Cheesecake Factory on Sunday, they went to sit someone w/ a purse dog near us, causing a lot of barking from the purse dog. Being the rockstar he is, Happe didn't bat an eye. -How do you not see the dog? 

-Why did you reseat them? Kick em out.

-Aren't you afraid it'll pee in your purse?

Service dogs get a bad reputation over shit like this. Grow up and get some common sense.

Thank you for making my life harder, NOT!

Thiss is the Face

This was written by a fellow Leader Dogs for the Blind alumni and is so true 

This is the face of a hard-working boy, who just finished a long day at work.

This is the face of a sweet boy, who wants to get home to his toys.

This is the face of a patient boy, who is waiting for his Lyft to take him home.

This is the face of a confused boy, who doesn’t understand why cars drive away when we approach.

This is the face of a hopeful boy, when another lyft pulls up.

This is the face of a sad boy, who is starting to recognize the words, no dogs.

This is the face of a sensitive boy, who will try really hard not to shed if someone will just please take us home.

This is the face of my well behaved service dog, who is legally allowed to accompany me everywhere.

This is the face of my well groomed service dog, who Is much cleaner than most of the people, children, food, drinks,  and personal belongings that are frequently transported in lyft vehicles.

This is the face of my beautiful service dog, whom Lyft drivers agree to transport when signing up for the platform.

This is a guide dog, who belongs to a Handler that is sick of being discriminated against for the same reason, over and over again.

 That being said, no matter what platform you drive on (lyft or uber) please read all the rules and laws  before you decide to become a driver.

☆Katie

Week of 9/12

I'm so bored!  Our trainer from Leader Dogs banned us from crossing the big road near us after mom called to tell them someone almost ran into us. 

♤Happe

We worked with the O&M instructor Monday, but  didn't do much just walked down the road. We noticed if I don't hit the crosswalk squarely he'll block me which is weird. I've also noticed he has started walking along faster, even in places we know.  I only say that because when I got him the trainer told me that he will walk fast through new places and slow down in familiar places.

☆Katie

I had an interview Friday and Happe did great while we were there, everyone loved him, he didn't complain or get clingy.

☆Katie

On Saturday night I got complimented by a bus driver on how well behaved Happe was. Now this never happens, so its a big deal.

☆ Katie

Finally! A chill day! I didn't do much but that interview took a lot out of me. Then yesterday we  went and walked along the river and boy was that too much activity for me 

♤Happe

I'll never be

My friend took me to a poetry event last night and it made me think oof this.

This is from years ago when I had my first guide dog,  Ori. Based on a poem written by someone in one of my classes. I'm pretty sure I never finished it.

I'll never be the perfect dog

That I hope mom knows

I sniff and sniff at everything

Even on the go 

I stare at all the other dogs 

And drive mom up the wall

I'll never be a perfect dog 

I get distracted by everything 

☆Katie

Things we've all heard

I don't remember any of the stupid things people have said to me over the years, but I have gotten many. These are funny and aren't from just non- dog people

》Person pointing to our Sussex spaniel telling friend:  “That’s one of those Cumberland spaniels.”   Me:  “There’s no such thing as a Cumberland spaniel.  This is a Sussex spaniel.”   Person:  “No it’s not.”

》Dog park expert: what breed is that?

Me: Bernese Mountain Dog

DPE: Lady, you got ripped off that’s a Saint Bernard crossed with something 

Me: 😳 

Are you sure you're an expert

》been asked "what model is that?" uhm Rottweiler 2016......

Its a dog not a car.

》Thinking I need to spank my puppy when she has accidents. They say "How else will she learn?" Smh

》My cousin's ex said Dalmatians are bred to run into burning buildings and rescue people.  Just yesterday someone said drug dogs are trained to sniff out drugs by getting them hooked on drugs then withholding it.

I didn't know you could breed a task. Why are you giving dogs drugs?

》You have to pee on your dog to make them know you’re alpha. 

Sorry, I will not pee on my dog, David.

That is disgusting. How about some tough love

》My girl is a rottweiler but gets called a cross all of the time as she is fit and people think rottweilers are 'big'

The worst was a lady whose dog had no recall. He had came running up to my dog who was on lead at the time. My dog ignored him. The owner came up to me screaming and yelling that my dogs harness should not be blue. Girl dogs are not allowed to wear blue harnesses apparently - they HAVE to be pink. Her dog picks fights with male dogs and she was scared her dog would be nailed by my dog (a rottweiler) thinking she was a male as she was in blue.

Thank you for your thoughts.

》“Training your dog is cruel.  You should just let them be dogs” 😐

Letting your dog get fat because it doesn't work is even cruelest.

 》"Your dog is clearly aggressive and untrained because he needs a muzzle" 

But I had to train him to wear a muzzle🤦‍♀️

》"The dog will be wild and get rabies because of eating uncooked meat... "🤣🤣🤣

》Don't teach a show dog to sit or it'll never learn how to stand 🙄🙄

》“Pitt bulls are aggressive because they get headaches

 

》(In the 1980s) That Dobes were mean because their narrow skulls squeezed their brains and caused great pain.

》Raw meat will make him mean

》 walking n g with my dog this guy leans out his car window "it's ok I won't hit you."

Thanks for your vote of confidence.

Aug 29-Sept 5

Sorry I missed last week. It was mons birthday and her parents (grand parents, that might get me killed next time I see them) came out. We did a lot of walking and I was completely done on Sunday.

♧Happe

I was also so done. We went to the natural history museum, on a sunset city cruse, and to the statue of liberty.  Honestly it was cooler to see the statue lit up on the sunset cruise than actually going to the island. Happe was a rockstar through it all and we did A LOT of walking, 56,016 steps worth of walking in fact, no wonder he's dead.

☆Katie t ie

Week of Sept 4

Yay rain! We so need you, now if you stay much longer a day or so will be sarcastic.

 It's gotten a lot more hectic around here as school is back in session and we live in a collage town. They have also closed down a major road near us so our street is a mess. 

☆Katie

MOM BOUGHT ME A SQUEEKY T OY AND I LOVE IT!

♤Happe

And I couldn't stop laughing

☆Katie

Let Your Kids Àsk Questiond

https://youtu.be/02Y6VnKQVyo

Just ask

MY ice cube

Last night daddy went to get some water and he put the ice cubes in my bowl not expecting me to get them. And when I jumped up to get them mom died laughing at my late night antics.

♤Happe

Names

It is crazy how fast people get used to the names our dogs have. Like I thought Happe was strange name at first but now, it's just normal to me. Ann's dog name is Mint.

There are also just some weird names out there

-My friend has a dog  names Pretzel 

-Someone who works at leader dogs has a dog named nutmeg

-a different friend has a dog named Clutch

-when I was getting Ori there were some weird dog names like: Bunker, Delta-April, Magic, Stutz (gymnastic move), Olympia (typewriter brand), Zooy (shoe brand).

Week of Aug 15

We took some walks. Mom says her knee hates her so I'm bored beyond belief.

♤Happe

My knee is killing me, so much so that walking hurts. We are getting to know the area a bit better. Its been a bit cooler lately, but as it's August that could change. Its been to warm during the day to go out so its been tought going out during the day.

☆Katie

Mommy loves me

I spoiled

♤Happem

P.D: Happe licking whip cream out of a cup.

week of Aug 1 and Aug 8

Mom abandon me for a stick earlier, she's back now but still. Then she ignored me for awhile after that.

♤ Happe

I was working on how to use a white cane. It was 20 minutes and I much prefer a steadying companion to a cane, so I have no clue what he is worried about. 

☆Katie

Too much activity. We went out three times this week and all in a row, the first two we didn't do anything and someone was watching the first time, the third to time wr went to Lincoln Park with daddy.  I'm done.

♤ Happe

We did go out quite a bit this week after it cooled down a bit outside. I hate O & M (orientation & mobility) training, it's so... uugh. Call me chicken bilut our second walk got us nothing as I wouldn't go into the store. Lincoln Park was nice, a lot better than Central Park  (and closer too). I'm tired too .

☆Katie

Our Voices: Please, Respectfully Announce Yourself

Please, Respectfully Announce Yourself

A visually impaired person may not have peripheral vision, nor the ability to identify who is approaching them. A common courtesy is to announce yourself to a friend who is visually impaired. This announcing technique lets a low vision/non-visual person know that you are indeed a friend and that you know them. This is comforting. For it is what we cannot see that is MOST scary to us.

Approach With a Sound

If walking or jogging past me, please tell me, “Passing you on the right,” etc. It can be confusing to hear the noise of rustling leaves or jogging feet without knowing where the sound is coming from.

Please Don’t Yell

You don’t have to yell when speaking to me. I am low vision, NOT low hearing. 

Be Courteous and Kind

If you see me struggling to open the door for myself and my guide dog, please bless me with kindness and ask “May I help?” One act of kindness goes an awfully long way.

Read today’s entire Voices story at: www.leaderdog.org/blog/voice-of-the-leader-dog-community-karen

Read more about our Voices of the LDB Community initiative at: www.leaderdog.org/blog/introducing-voices-of-the-leader-dog-community

◇ Leader Dogs

week of 7/25

Week three of the heat wave from hell. It was 82° at 6am Monday morning, which is not cool. Happe is losing it being inside all day. I hate going into NYC, we went central park on Saturday and that was ok going to get ice cream after wasn't.

☆Katie

It wasn't super hot this week so I got more walks. Mom lost it when we went time square  

♤Happe

Leader Cat

Did you know there’s a cat named Elsa that lives in our Canine Center?! She’s started an Instagram highlighting her adventures which you can follow here: https://www.instagram.com/leadercat_elsa/

My name is Elsa and I live in the Canine Center at Leader Dogs for the Blind. Although I am not in training to become a service animal, I have a very important job to do! Besides welcoming visitors into the building and working hard to catch some Z’s, I help my guide dog friends in training work on their small animal distractions.

Work-life balance is very important to me so you can often find me snoozing in one of my favorite spots or sitting on someone’s lap getting some cuddles.

Follow along to see what the life of a leader cat is all about!👑🦮

XOXO, Elsa

Our Voices: We Need Each Othe

We Need Each Other

Even though our cane and Leader Dog training assists us to independence, please DO stop to talk with us and say hello. It is important to feel acknowledged.

Remember that low vision/non-visual people still yearn to have fun and be a part of parties, events and activities with family and friends. We also enjoy occasional phone calls that can make a lonely person feel connected.

Harness Time

If you are walking your dog near me, please just quietly pass by. My dog is in harness and working, so cannot stop to sniff and play.

Leash-up

Keeping your dog leashed around a guide dog is an absolute necessity! A dog attack most likely would physically and emotionally damage both me and my dog and could end my dogs’ guiding career due to trauma from another dog. 

Playtime

When the harness comes off, it is playtime! No need to wonder if guide dogs get to play. We work hard to balance work and play, and it is very important that our guide dogs get work time, downtime and playtime each day.

I am being authentic, raw and real to share what needs to be said: “Just be KIND to anyone with a dis-ability.” Be kind and respectful to everyone, just as you would like to be treated.

Thank you for reading this and understanding more about the difficulties of being low vision or non-visual and for “opening the eyes of your heart.”

Read today’s entire Voices story at: www.leaderdog.org/blog/voice-of-the-leader-dog-community-karen

Read more about our Voices of the LDB Community initiative at: www.leaderdog.org/blog/introducing-voices-of-the-leader-dog-community

◇ Leader Dogs

Dogwarts

When the stick your dog has becomes a wand.

"Dogwarts here I come!"

☆Katie ♤ Happe

PD: Happe with a stick in his mouth by one end

So Bored

We just moved to a new place! We haven r explored nuch as it has been so hot here. I haven't really met anyone being inside all day.

♤Happe

REALLY?!

Something is wrong here. Why am I on the floor? Isn't the dog supposed to be here?

☆ Katie

PD: Happe (Mr. Mutt) on the sofa with me on the floor infront of him and my hubby.

So Neglected

♤Happe

PD: Happe laying in the grass staring out at a lake with a large tennis ball in the grass  about a foot away to his left.

This Dog

The difference between Happe working around home/areas I know and working in new places is astounding and I love it. Around my hometown he's great, in a new place he's my wonderful rock who gives me the confidence I don't always have. 

☆Katie

All The Rope

I love rope

♤ Happ

And sticks and gras

☆Katie

PD 1: a yellow golden/lab cross lying on tan carpet with a rope toy in his paws  PD 2: same dog lying f in the grass with two sticks in his mouth

Magical

I don't just emit magical fibers of happiness (fur), I emit magical rays of sunlight too.

P.D: Happe, a golden lab, lying on a starburst rug in such a way that it looks like rays of light are coming from from him.

♤Happe

Thank you??

Here's one for the books. Today I had someone lean out of their car window to shout "I like your dog" at me

Graduation

Mommy walked me across  a stage after taking me to a new place.

PD: Happe and I infront  of some glass bricks. I'm wearing a cap and c gown

♤Happe

dangerous location

Contrary to what you might think he spends more time bein a normal dog who plays fetch, does tricks, and eats nature (sticks), and lays in dangerous spots than being my guide.

PD: a yellow golden lab mix laying ng under a recliner footrest.

☆Katie

wow...just wow

So I am moving sometime in June and this weekend (4/25) I went to look at the different places my fiance had found in New Jersey. Now I've never taken Happe on a plane so I was understandably anxious but he was a supper great traveling companion and there was nothing to worry about. He did awesome in the city too, busses and trains didn't faze him at all, even my high stress level did nothing. We also went to see Phantom of the Oprah and I swear he was watching it. I couldn't ask for a better guide dog because there is nothing better 

this is not ok even with an empty bus but he wasn't moving

Theater dog enjoying Phantom of the Oprah 

☆ Katir

Updates

Tuesday was the one year mark of us being a team and I have no complaints. We went to the mall yesterday afternoon (bad idea especially on a Saturday) and Happe was awesome in the crowd. He continues to amaze daily in and out of harness sand especially at night when all I see is lights.